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The Second Screen Experience Of ‘App’ – Technological Gimmick Or The Shape Of Cinema To Come?

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Nestled within the classic films and straight-to-video movies in the horror section of Netflix is an interesting little Bobby Boermans-directed Dutch gem from 2013 called App.  What makes App interesting isn’t the movie itself, but the “second screen” technology that the movie uses to immerse the audience in its world.

At the beginning of App, the viewer is told to download an app onto their phone or tablet by texting the word “IRIS” to 97-000 (the app can also be found by searching for IRIS in Android and iPhone App Stores).  Once installed, the Iris App will use the device’s microphone to sync itself up with the movie, and the fun begins.

App (2013)

Hannah Hoekstra and Iris in App (2013).

App is about a young college student named Anna (Hannah Hoekstra) who goes to a party and drinks way too much.  When she wakes up the next morning, there’s a mysterious app on her phone called, you guessed it, Iris.  Similar to the iPhone’s Siri, Iris is a voice activated personal assistant type of program.  At first, Anna finds the app useful, but eventually she notices that the app seems to have a mind of its own.  As the app gets more and more invasive, Anna finds that Iris can’t be deleted from her phone, and even replacing the phone doesn’t get rid of the app.  It’s like Iris is Anna’s virtual stalker.

The film itself is average at best, a well-made thriller without any real shock or awe.  The second screen experience is what makes App fun.  During the course of the movie, the viewer’s phone will vibrate to alert them that there is something going on there.  The second screen content varies; sometimes it will be simply an alternate angle of what’s going on in the movie, other times it will be a text message conversation between two characters – it’s generally little things like that.  The movie is perfectly coherent and watchable without the second screen, but the supplemental content adds a cool dimension to an otherwise mediocre movie.

App (2013)

App (2013)

With technology advancing faster than ever and filmmakers always searching for the next big thing, App is an intriguing idea.  The second screen concept is clearly in its infancy, but App will be considered a highly influential film if it catches on.  It definitely seems to lend itself better to VOD releases, as the constant glow of audience members’ cell phones in a theater while they check the extra content would be downright annoying.  As of now, it’s limited to just being a William Castle-esque gimmick, but who knows?  The potential for coolness is there.  In the hands of the right director, second screen technology could be the wave of the future.

App is streaming now on Netflix.

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Watch ‘The Burning’ At The Location Where It Was Filmed

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Fangoria is reporting that fans of the 1981 slasher The Burning will be able to have a screening of the film at the location where it was filmed. The movie is set at Camp Blackfoot which is actually the Stonehaven Nature Preserve in Ransomville, New York.

This ticketed event will take place on August 3. Guests will be able to take a tour of the grounds as well as enjoy some campfire snacks along with the screening of The Burning.

The Burning

The film came out in the early ’80s when teen slashers were being churned out in magnum force. Thanks to Sean S. Cunningham’s Friday the 13th, filmmakers wanted to get in on the low-budget, high-profit movie market and a casket load of these types of films were produced, some better than others.

The Burning is one of the good ones, mostly because of the special effects from Tom Savini who had just come off of his groundbreaking work on Dawn of the Dead and Friday the 13th. He declined to do the sequel because of its illogical premise and instead signed on to do this movie. Also, a young Jason Alexander who would later go on to play George in Seinfeld is a featured player.

Because of its practical gore, The Burning had to be heavily edited before it received an R-rating. The MPAA was under the thumb of protest groups and political bigwigs to censor violent films at the time because slashers were just so graphic and detailed in their gore.

Tickets are $50, and if you want a special t-shirt, that will cost you another $25, You can get all the information by visiting the On Set Cinema webpage.

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‘Longlegs’ Creepy “Part 2” Teaser Appears on Instagram

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Longlegs

Neon Films released an Insta-teaser for their horror film Longlegs today. Titled Dirty: Part 2, the clip only furthers the mystery of what we are in for when this movie is finally released on July 12.

The official logline is: FBI Agent Lee Harker is assigned to an unsolved serial killer case that takes unexpected turns, revealing evidence of the occult. Harker discovers a personal connection to the killer and must stop him before he strikes again.

Directed by former actor Oz Perkins who also gave us The Blackcoat’s Daughter and Gretel & Hansel, Longlegs is already creating buzz with its moody images and cryptic hints. The film is rated R for bloody violence, and disturbing images.

Longlegs stars Nicolas Cage, Maika Monroe, and Alicia Witt.

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Exclusive Sneak Peek: Eli Roth and Crypt TV’s VR Series ‘The Faceless Lady’ Episode Five

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Eli Roth (Cabin Fever) and Crypt TV are knocking it out of the park with their new VR show, The Faceless Lady. For those unaware, this is the first fully scripted VR horror show on the market.

Even for masters of horror like Eli Roth and Crypt TV, this is a monumental undertaking. However, if I trust anyone to change the way that we experience horror, it would be these two legends.

The Faceless Lady

Ripped from the pages of Irish folklore, The Faceless Lady tells the story of a tragic spirit cursed to wander the halls of her castle for all of eternity. However, when three young couples are invited to the castle for a series of games, their fates may soon change.

So far, the story has provided horror fans with a gripping game of life or death that doesn’t look as if it will slow down in episode five. Luckily, we have an exclusive clip that may be able to satiate your appetites until the new premiere.

Airing on 4/25 at 5pmPT/8pmET, episode five follows our final three contestants in this wicked game. As the stakes are raised ever higher, will Ella be able to fully awaken her connection with Lady Margaret?

The faceless lady

The newest episode can be found on Meta Quest TV. If you haven’t already, follow this link to subscribe to the series. Make sure to check out the new clip below.

Eli Roth Present’s THE FACELESS LADY S1E5 Clip: THE DUEL – YouTube

To view in the highest resolution, adjust the quality settings in the bottom right corner of the clip.

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